Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
Thinking about a big trip! Thinking about a big trip!
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Like Tree5Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 Feb 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 9
Thanks for the info so far guys.

I know there's a lot into this whole trip in terms of finding out info etc.

I'll ask another few questions so that I can get a better idea of a few things I need to know.

1. If I buy a bike in SA, then I need to pay for the Carnet - which I'm told is 200% of the price of the bike?

I would then have to return to SA with the bike (either ride it back or ship it) in order to get my deposit back?

2. If I shipped a bike from my home country (Ireland btw) to SA - would I still need to pay for the Carnet or how does that work?

3. I don't have a motorcycle license, so is that part of the requirements to be able to drive one through Africa?

4. Ideally I would like some sort of road bike as opposed to a trail bike. My g.friend would also be on the back of it.

I've been told so many times that it's a silly idea to try and do this trip with two people on the one bike, but that just makes me more determined to do it

TIA lads.
Carlo & Florence
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Feb 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 42
Hi,

you don't have a motorcycle license ?? I suggest getting one.

Carnet is 200% of the value for Egypt only... Kenya is 100% ... but if you are not gonna go to egypt ... then it's only 100% of bikes value

You do not have to ship the bike back to get your deposit. You have to ship Carnet book to AA in Johannesburg with all the right entry/exit stamps... especially Egypt.. since that's the sticky point... once they receive that and verify that you exited the country, they don't need to hold on to your money anymore.

If you want to go 2up... then you'd stick to main roads i assume but... can you ride well enough for single person? 2up is heavy and all that. But not impossible i assume. I never done it.

I don't know about the bike registered in Ireland, I assume you'd need carnet not matter what, just would have one issues in Europe ... probably ...not 100% sure.

Hope that helps
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Feb 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetrolls View Post
Hi,

you don't have a motorcycle license ?? I suggest getting one.

Carnet is 200% of the value for Egypt only... Kenya is 100% ... but if you are not gonna go to egypt ... then it's only 100% of bikes value

You do not have to ship the bike back to get your deposit. You have to ship Carnet book to AA in Johannesburg with all the right entry/exit stamps... especially Egypt.. since that's the sticky point... once they receive that and verify that you exited the country, they don't need to hold on to your money anymore.

If you want to go 2up... then you'd stick to main roads i assume but... can you ride well enough for single person? 2up is heavy and all that. But not impossible i assume. I never done it.

I don't know about the bike registered in Ireland, I assume you'd need carnet not matter what, just would have one issues in Europe ... probably ...not 100% sure.

Hope that helps
It definitely does help mate. Thank you.

Yes, I will have to go about getting a motorcycle licence back home in Ireland.

Ideally, I'd like to ride from my hometown in Ireland all the way to SA over the course of 6-8 months. (We have the time to do it).

But if that's not a possibility, then SA to Cairo or vice versa would be fine.

So, why did I read people saying the carnet is 800% of the bikes value and you have to ship the bike back to get the money? So confusing at times trying to work out if the info is legit on some websites. That's why I was told to head to this one

Yeah, we'd stick to main roads and we've gone 2up all the way through Vietnam over a month before - so I do have a little experience (not much).
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Feb 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by nextstopwhoknows View Post
3. I don't have a motorcycle license, so is that part of the requirements to be able to drive one through Africa?

I've been told so many times that it's a silly idea to try and do this trip with two people on the one bike, but that just makes me more determined to do it
No.3 Apart from any legal repercussions from the police as you will be riding illegally any travel as in medical insurance you take out will probably be invalid, certainly UK insurers want to see proof of a full motorcycle licence before paying hospital or repatriation bills if your claim is a result of a motorcycle accident, no licence and you are on your own.

There is no problem at all in doing this on one bike, just make sure the passenger is comfortable and you will have to cut luggage right down to a minimum, as one of you has to get a motorcycle licence why not both of you at the same time and share the riding?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Feb 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
No.3 Apart from any legal repercussions from the police as you will be riding illegally any travel as in medical insurance you take out will probably be invalid, certainly UK insurers want to see proof of a full motorcycle licence before paying hospital or repatriation bills if your claim is a result of a motorcycle accident, no licence and you are on your own.

There is no problem at all in doing this on one bike, just make sure the passenger is comfortable and you will have to cut luggage right down to a minimum, as one of you has to get a motorcycle licence why not both of you at the same time and share the riding?

Get ya Mark! Thank you.

Honestly, she doesn't even drive a car, so she definitely won't ride a motorbike. She's comfortable with me at this stage on the back of a bike (scooter for the most part these days).

So there's no issues there.

Luggage will definitely be down to a minimum, however, we'll be needing our two laptops for work reasons - which will be the heaviest items by a mile.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Feb 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 42
If you are open to it and have time ... why not ride down from Ireland and fly back? not like it's any harder than return trip

same route....whichever one you choose... but since you're talking Egypt ... then it's east coast... ride to italy or greece, catch a ferry and plane... meet your bike in Egypt and ride down? fly back and done?

800% i don;t know squat about.. i called AA and that's what i got. I am planning ride up east coast and into europe in 2 months, so have been sifting through this somewhat in depth
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Brit expat in Saudi Arabia planning a big trip home DaveMurphyEng Welcome to HU 2 27 Feb 2020 18:13
Big Dog ADV Ride 2017 Sun Chaser Motorcycle Events around the world 3 25 Jul 2017 16:14
Big Trip Insurance - Africa & Latin America Rob Archibald Trip Paperwork 0 6 Mar 2014 14:44
Who has found a new country to retire in after their big trip? realmc26 The HUBB PUB 56 16 Jun 2013 09:48
Big Sur From the Top garnaro Ride Tales 5 18 May 2013 07:35

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:11.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top